The 16th BIMP-EAGA Summit was held on 27 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur . Photo courtesy of Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As it enters a new decade of cooperation, BIMP-EAGA looks back on its achievements and prepares to take on new challenges and opportunities.
At the 16th BIMP-EAGA Summit in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, Malaysia Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. reaffirmed their commitment to work together in “building a stronger and prosperous future.” This year’s BIMP-EAGA Summit was chaired by the Philippines, and it was held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit.
In a joint statement, the leaders of the four member-countries noted the steady growth of the subregion and the “transformative progress achieved from 2017 to 2025 under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025.” They adopted the new BIMP-EAGA Vision (BEV) 2035 Guiding Framework, which seeks to accelerate the development of the subregion as “a unified growth area” that is “socially inclusive, open, aligned, and resilient, ensuring shared economic prosperity and sustainability.”
Transforming the subregion
BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 to spur development in areas that are geographically far from the national capitals, yet strategically close to each other. By 2023, the subregion has grown into a $400-billion economy, contributing more than 18% to the combined gross domestic product (GDP) of the four countries. Exports from 2017 to 2023 totaled $674 billion, while foreign direct investments reached $93.4 billion. Domestic tourist arrivals drove tourism growth in the region, totaling 593.4 million (excluding Brunei Darussalam) in the same period.
“Advancements in connectivity, food basket, tourism, environment, and sociocultural and education strategic pillars have not only strengthened cross-border ties but also unlocked new avenues for sustainable economic growth across the region,” said the leaders. New opportunities include regional digital integration; development of the blue economy; cross-border trading of electricity, including from renewable sources; and agriculture value chains.
As of 15 May, BIMP-EAGA’s rolling pipeline of priority infrastructure projects (PIPs) has almost quadrupled to 217 from 57 in 2017 when BEV 2025 was adopted. Planned investments in infrastructure have increased to an estimated $66.99 billion from $21.4 billion and focus on improving regional connectivity (e.g., transport, energy and power, information and communications, trade facilitation), which is a driver of economic and inclusive growth across the subregion. Of the 217 PIPs, 60 (28%) have been completed, and 157 projects are in various stages of implementation.
A new phase of development
The forthcoming BEV 2035 is expected to usher in a new development phase for BIMP-EAGA despite the challenges. The subregion continues to address economic disparities, infrastructure gaps, and environmental vulnerabilities while coping with rising uncertainties in global trade.
BEV 2035 supports the long-term strategic thrusts of BIMP-EAGA and retains key elements from BEV 2025. In addition, the BEV 2035 guiding framework includes new core elements. It seeks to develop human resources and a network of production hubs at the outcome level and identify strategic areas that cut across the subregion’s wide-ranging initiatives and sectors of cooperation. Four crosscutting themes were identified. These are digitalization, technology, and innovation; blue economy; circular and regenerative economy; and creative industries.
An integrated approach to the development of economic corridors in the subregion will also be operationalized under BEV 2035. “An integrated approach will enhance economic corridors as networks, deliver benefits to marginalized areas, and unlock third-generation investments—boosting connectivity and driving vibrant economic activities,” said the BIMP-EAGA leaders.
Findings from a study led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) suggest that reconfigured, expanded, and interlinked economic corridors provide the strategic, spatial, and inclusive framework to promote the sustainable development of all communities in the subregion. ADB serves as BIMP-EAGA’s regional development advisor.
The leaders acknowledged ADB’s support for BIMP-EAGA throughout the years. “We look forward to ADB’s continued support in shaping the BEV 2035, reinforcing its invaluable role in defining our trajectory for the next decade,” they said.
In BIMP-EAGA, known as "ASEAN’s food basket,” ADB has invested $500 million for agricultural development, $93 million for sustainable aquaculture, and $500 million for plastic marine debris reduction. ADB President Kanda announced a $400 million loan at the BIMP-EAGA Summit to restore marine ecosystems and strengthen the blue economy in the Philippines.